Monday, January 19, 2009

Have "We" come full circle . . .

(Note: This evening, I have edited this blog, making more clear in my mind a few of the comments I made.)

I have often shared, private and publically, that I am very fond of, and admire, Peter Seeger.

Some will disagree with me . . . and have . . . and their arguments have merit perhaps, that some things in his past are not to be admired or emulated.

There are things in my past I do not want anyone to admire or emulate either.

My admiration for Pete is mostly centered in regards to his music. I was about 19 when I first became of aware of the sings Pete had written, and those he was performing. How Pete leads singing . . . so greatly influenced how I do it where and when I am privileged to sing.

Pete is in his 90's now, and his voice is failing somewhat. He still performs when he is able, with his grandson, Tao Rodriquez, at this side.

Yesterday, during pre-inauguration concerts held in Washington DC . . . Pete and Tao joined with Bruce Springsteen, and sang Woodie Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land!" Their version included a particular verse that is not often sung, or found in children's song books . . . about people standing outside a relief station . . .

I began to consider, as Eric Folkerth shared in his blog today . . . if Pete was wondering if how the song was sung yesterday in Washington DC, was the way Woodie intended for it to be sung. People of different ethnic origins and skin color . . . . singing about unitey, about working together for a common goal . . . hope for all!

Granted, they may also have been very happy about the election victories of the political candidates they supported . . . one cannot rule that possibility out.

Yet, I wonder about things coming full circle. I remember as a young man of 18, watching a program where Pete lead the singing of "This Land is Your Land." Yesterday, in his 90's, he sang it again.

In the 70's we were embroiled in Viet Nam and the civil rights movement was still a key issue in front of all Americans. This week, in 2009, many in our country say that we are uniting more than ever, as we prepare to face the toughest period for our country in some years.

And in all the years between now and then . . . people have been singing, "This Land is Your Land."

I perhaps am a bit sentimental . . . too emotionally driven . . . in my way of thinking, hope is a central tenant of my faith, of my being . . . hope is what motivates me to face the future, instead of fleeing from it in terror of the unknown.

Without hope . . . (in my opinion) the world becomes a dark and vile place, a place of chaos and darkness. Hope is hearing "Let there be Light!" or even "Tomorrow is a new day!" or even . . . "Yes, We Can!"

As we prepare for tomorrows inauguration of Barak Obama as President of the United States, I find myself praying for a man I did not vote for . . . but who tomorrow will be my President. I pray for him, his family, for he faces a most diffucult task ahead. I pray for him to have wisdom, and the ability to continually cast his vision of hope, or a people, and for a nation.

Listen . . . and sing along if you like.

By the way, this is (in my humble opinion) the greatest folk song ever written.

It's one of those songs that I don't remember not knowing. I'm not sure why it echoes through me as it does. In these years of life, I hear and sing it more with a sense of 'ownership' than I used to, hopeful in the potential of our shared citizenship that transcends political party lines as well as the blueness or redness of our respective states.

It was confirmed last night that Tom Petty died after being found in his home unresponsive and in full cardiac arrest. Tom and the Heartb...

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is the blog of Rev. Rick Mang, a United Methodist clergyman who lives in Texas where he serves as pastor of a church in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Rick is also a Certified Therapeutic Music Entertainer who sings for senior adults in area nursing, rehab and retirement homes, and in senior activity centers. Rick also sings for different church and community groups and events as his schedule allows.

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I have been blessed to have had several mentors along my life's journery. Joe Laughlin was one of them. Joe was my "adopted" big brother, best friend, guitar and vocal mentor, and fellow Christian folk philospher. I miss him.

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It goes without saying . . .

The thoughts, opinions, ideas, stories, meditations, prayers, and other information written anywhere on this blog are usually my own ramblings and responses to things I have seen, heard, read or witnessed. I write out of the ever changing and conflicted struggle that exists between my head and my heart as I try to live out my life mission in the best and most productive way I can.

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